CE Projects – Fall 2024

Dr. Anthony Ingle
Teaching Specialist

Undergraduates in civil and environmental engineering must take CE 495. This capstone course prepares students for the workplace by providing an experience with the following challenges:

  • A project with multiple issues that must be resolved using civil and environmental engineering knowledge;
  • Formulation of conceptual solutions and resolution of conflicting design elements;
  • Development of plans that comply with regulations and provide a basis for cost estimates;
  • Balancing individual responsibility and group participation in a team based effort;
  • Preparation of written reports and oral presentations.

Each team is responsible for developing a design that addresses environmental, hydrological, pavement, structural, and transportation issues for the project. A student project manager coordinates each team. Design reports are judged by the faculty; progress reports and the oral presentations are judged by a board of practicing professionals.

Faculty Advisors: Professors Engle, Haider, Hashsham, Ingle, Kumar, Kutay, Li

MSU and Henry Ford Health Research Building in Detroit, MI

Henry Ford Health has partnered with Michigan State University in the development of a cutting-edge medical research facility for Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences. The development is part of a wide range of investments surrounding the existing Henry Ford Hospital campus. Community development initiatives are intended to transform Detroit’s New Center neighborhood into a vibrant, walkable community with state-of-the-art residential, commercial, retail, recreational and health care components. As a part of the partnership, MSU Civil and Environmental Engineering students have engaged with the design and construction teams to better understand the project. This included a site visit in early September, soon after construction of the foundation system was initiated.

The existing 13-acre site is predominantly paved as a parking lot, an evolution from its industrial past. The new research building is expected to be eight stories and approximately 335,000 gross square feet. Research areas of focus will include (but are not limited to) cancer, neuroscience, immunology and infectious diseases, with a particular interest in health inequities and disparities and social determinants of health. A new 600-space parking structure will be built adjacent to the building, offsetting the loss of surface spots and enabling more green space to be added. The students prepared preliminary designs based upon provided basic land survey and soil sampling data. The students’ designs are independent of the current construction plan, but are based on the same realistic constraints within the project site.

Screenshot

Key to Team Roles: E=Environmental H=Hydrology PM=Project Manager T=Transportation G=Geothermal P=Pavements S=Structures

Team 1: Spartan Civil Innovations

Left to right: Arik Marvin (S), Gabriel Bialek (H), Noah Long (G), Matthew Thelen (PM), Rudy Zelich (T), Armando Ramirez (P), Olivia Portner (E)


Team 2: Red Cedar Engineering Group

Left to right: Shane Williams (S), Reese Worden (G), Dane Herczeg (T), Daniel Gubrud (E), Reegan Kelly (H), Ricardo Ochoa (P), Owen Woods (PM)


Team 3: Great Lakes Strategies

Left to right: Malia Huss (G), Dylan Strawn (PM), Ian Schaffer (P), Jeryn Farr (S), Ibrahim Huwio (T), Taylor Siitari (E), Allison Kelly (H)


Team 4: Red Cedar Design Group

Left to right: Micah Bouman (H), Nicole Hengesbach (S), Isle Roggenbuck (P), Michael Burns (E), Masha Kochubievsky (PM), Abbygail Shuster (G), Hoky Ngoulla (T)


Team 5: MoTown Design & Engineering

Left to right: Logan Phillips (G), Chloé DuBois (H), Terry Harris (P), Alyssa Magyar (PM), Drew Bohl (S), Ralph Aguilar (T), Caiden Hughey (E)


Professional Seminar Speakers

Talia Bellil, P.E.
Michigan Department of Transportation

Michele Buckler, P.E.
Diamler Automotive Group

Brad Ewart, P.E.
Soil & Materials Engineers, Inc.

Megan Jacobs, P.E.
Soil & Materials Engineers, Inc.

Steve Minton, P.E.
Michigan Department of Transportation

Leanne Panduren, P.E.
Rowe Professional Services

Robert Rayl, P.E.
Clark Dietz, Inc.

Chuck Rolfe, P.E.
OHM Advisors

Kristen Schuster, P.E.
Michigan Department of Transportation

Dan Thome, P.E.
Nicholson Construction

Roy Townsend, P.E.
Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation


Professional Evaluators

Engineers and scientists associated with the following firms, municipalities, and companies donated time to provide students with a practicing professional’s perspective. We gratefully acknowledge their generous contributions.

Juan Alcantar, P.E.
Michigan Dept. of Transportation

Michele Buckler, P.E.
Diamler Automotive Group

Dan Christian, P.E.
Tetra Tech MPS

Tyler Dawson, Ph.D., P.E.
NTH Consultants

Jordan Doddie, P.E.
HNTB

Andrew Dykstra, P.E.
Barr Engineering Co.

Jason Early, P.E.
HNTB

David Hayden, P.E.
DLZ

Cole Moody, P.E.
HNTB

Jon O’Brock, P.E.
Materials Testing Consultants

Lauren Roller, P.E.
Harley Ellis Devereaux

Brandon Simon, P.E.
Progressive AE

Steve Sorensen, P.E.
PEA Group

Michael Thelen, P.E.
Consumers Energy